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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: December 8, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution to award a contract for the East Well Collector Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Valve Replacement project to DePue Mechanical, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $128,592.00.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council authorization to award a contract to DePue Mechanical, Inc., Minooka, IL, for the East Well Collector Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Valve Replacement project in the amount not to exceed of $128,592.00.
BACKGROUND:
The existing east well collector, combination pressure reducing/sustaining valve was installed inside the water treatment plant (WTP) as part of the treatment plant upgrade project in 2002. The east well collector pipe connects the four existing east side deep wells to the WTP. The valve has two functions: first to keep the east well collector pipe pressurized to a minimum pressure setting (pressure sustaining), even if no wells are operating, and secondly, to reduce the east well collector pipe operating pressure before the east and west side well collector pipes connect inside the WTP (pressure reducing). The valve automatically and continuously throttles to maintain a higher incoming pressure and reduce it to a lower outlet pressure, regardless of changing flow rate or inlet pressure.
Recently the valve has developed leakage through the pipe wall, which has been temporarily stopped. Due to the leakage and indications of internal corrosion, the valve and adjacent piping need to be replaced. In addition, the valve has been in operation 24/7 for the past 23 years.
Replacement of the valve will allow the continued operation of the east side well collector and four associated deep wells.
DISCUSSION:
The project to perform the subject work was publicly advertised on October 14, 2025 (Bid No. 25-200) and bids were opened on November 12, 2025. Two (2) bids were received and the bid tabulation is attached. Alternate #1, the lower cost option, is selected for the project award. The apparent, low bidder was disqualified due to bidding discrepancies; therefore, the project is awarded to DePue Mechanical, Inc., for a not to exceed amount of $128,592.00, which includes an allowance/contingency amount of $7,500.00.
Funding for this project will be available in the 2026 budget in the Repairs/Maintenance Services account of 510-4058-511-38-01. Section 2-408, Local Preference in Purchasing and Contracting did apply to this bid but did not impact the final bid results.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Complete failure of the valve would render the east side wells inoperable until the valve is replaced, which equates to over 5 million gallons per day of unavailable source groundwater.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request committee and city council approval of a resolution authorizing a contract with DePue Mechanical, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $128,592.00 for the East Well Collector Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Valve Replacement project.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to award a contract for the East Well Collector Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Valve Replacement project to DePue Mechanical, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $128,592.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the east well collector piping within the water treatment plant requires replacement of the existing pressure reducing/sustaining valve and adjacent piping; and
WHEREAS, the project was publicly advertised; sealed bids were publicly opened on November 12, 2025, for bid number 25-200, East Well Collector Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Valve Replacement; and
WHEREAS, DePue Mechanical, Inc., Minooka, IL, is the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder in the not to exceed amount of $128,592.00; and
WHEREAS, upon approval of the 2026 budget, funding will be available in account 510-4058-511-38-01.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Director of Purchasing be and is hereby authorized to execute a contract and issue a purchase order for the not to exceed amount of $128,592.00 to DePue Mechanical, Inc. for the East Well Collector Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Valve Replacement project.